Ultrasonically detectable intrauterine system and a method for enhancing ultrasound detection
AssigneeBayer Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsTaina Tjäder, Sara Heinonen
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Abstract
The present invention relates to ultrasonically detectable intrauterine systems and to a method for enhancing ultrasound detection of these systems. An intrauterine system having an inert metal coating on at least part of the body of the intrauterine system or at least one inert metal clip, pin, ring or sleeve fixedly positioned on the body of the intrauterine system is described.
Claims17
An ultrasonically detectable intrauterine system (IUS) for long-term insertion into a uterine cavity comprising:
- a vertical arm having an upper end and a lower end;
- horizontal arms extending from the upper end of the vertical arm;
- a hormone-containing capsule mounted on the vertical arm;
- and
- an image enhancing structure adapted to improve ultrasound imaging of the IUS, wherein the image enhancing structure comprises an inert metal ring, wherein:
- the inert metal ring is composed of silver and has a width of 0.2 mm to 1 mm;
- the inert metal ring surrounds the upper end of the vertical arm and is at least partially embedded in the upper end of the vertical arm;
- and
- the inert metal ring does not comprise an active ingredient.
A method to form an intrauterine system (IUS) with improved visibility within a uterine cavity in an ultrasound examination, the method comprising:
- forming a vertical arm of the IUS with a medicated capsule mounted thereto;
- forming a first portion of one of an upper end of the vertical arm, a lower end of the vertical arm, and an end of a horizontal arm extending from the upper end of the vertical arm;
- and
- surrounding the upper end of the vertical arm with an inert metal ring, wherein the inert metal ring is composed of silver, does not comprise an active ingredient, has a width of 0.2 to 1 mm, and is at least partially embedded in the upper end of the vertical arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.